the public

noun

: the people of a country, state, etc.

the American public

The beach is open to the public.

The general public is in favor of the law.

Members of the public called for the mayor's resignation.

Examples of the public in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wednesday's meeting saw more than 60 members of the public address the AQMD board to explain how the ongoing situation has affected them. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Curtis ran a campaign calling on the state to lower prescription drug costs, make housing more affordable, lower property costs, raise the minimum wage and fully fund the public schools system, including special education. — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

O’Hare booted members of the public from the room for the meeting for disrupting decorum, instead inviting speakers to address the commissioners one-by-one. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026

The feds filed their report eight years after it was discovered by the public defender’s office, but dropped their oversight in 2025. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for the public

• nonpublic
• republic
• semipublic